 Many prehistoric constructions found on the islands of Menorca and, to a lesser extent, Mallorca, open an enigmatic window in time contrasting vividly with latter-day snapshots of a sun-kissed paradise and prime tourist destination of the modern day Ballearic Islands.
There are over 1500 Bronze Age sites on Menorca that have been attributed to the Talaiotic people, so called after the huge stone structures or ‘talaiots’ that mark their passing. These were the first in a long succession of invaders and colonisers of the islands and evidence of their daily lives tells modern day investigators that human habitation of the Ballearics was ongoing from at least 3000 to 1000 years B.C.
The Balearics were colonised by the Phoenicians who established profitable trading outposts here several centuries B.C. These were replaced by the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Arabs and the Turks who all, in their turn, left their traces in the form of bridges, roads of communication, castles and fortresses. After the defeat of the Arabs by the Catholic Kings, Catalan settlers arrived brining with them their customs and their language, a variety of which is widely spoken today.
The Balearic chain of islands comprises three main islands and several smaller ones. The nearest island to the Spanish coast is Ibiza, the least developed yet with the split personality of a late-night party reveller and a tranquil lover of nature.
In Ibiza’s capital, post-Muslim Christian influence is well demonstrated by extensive fortifications that were built around the old town. The ‘Portal de ses Taules’ bears the coat of arms of the kings of Aragón while the Cathedral, that dominates the old town, is a 13th century Gothic construction with later, 18th century afterthoughts.
The countryside of Ibiza ranges from high limestone mountains to golden beaches that mantle blue seas.
Mallorca’s central location, fertile lands and scenic diversity has acted as a magnate for all types of colonisers from Palaeolithic monument builders to retired German industrialists. It is the administrative centre of the archipelago and largest island of the group. It’s well developed cultural agenda is emphasised by its museums, the well maintained antique fortifications and the sweeping majesty of the Cathedral in the principal city of Palma. With the stunning scenery of its interior and the sheer beauty of the many golden beaches that line its coasts, its no wonder that Mallorca remains one of the most popular tourist destinations of Spain.
Menorca, to the north east, retains an atmosphere of mystery that its many ancient stone structures lend. Less well developed than its neighbours and located furthest from the Spanish coast. Menorca’s slow pace of life, broken only by the madness of the festival of St Joan in late June and tempered by some of the finest examples of colonial architecture in Spain, are uniquely priceless.
Perhaps the most popular image of the Ballearic Islands is the tourism of sun, sea and sangría. Although still a popular destination for those seeking a complete break from the routine of their daily lives, the Ballearic Islands offer a huge spectrum of experiences from crowded beaches outside uniform concrete high-rise hotels to country hideaways deep in the mountains where it is possible to imagine that your own little bubble of reality is the only one that exists.
Más información:
http://www.illesbalears.es
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Last Updated ( miércoles, 19 marzo 2008 )
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